Cigarette-vending machine



Feb. 17, 1931. c. H. ECKMANN CIGARETTE VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 27, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 19.26 6 Sheets -Sheet 2 Feb. l7, 1931. c. H. ECKMANN CIGARETTE VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 27

6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

C. H. ECKMANN CIGARETTE VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1926 UHHU Feb. 17, 1931.

Feb. 17; 1931.

c. H. ECKMANN CIGARETTE VENDING MACHINE Fil ed Sept.

1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 'Fgb. 17, 1931.

c. H. ECKMANN CIGARETTE VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 2'7 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY. I

Feb. 17,1931. H. ECKMANN 1,793,165

C IGARETTE VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY,

Patented Feb. '17, 1931 PATENT OFFICE CHARLES H. ECKMANN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN l CIGARETTE-VENDING MACHINE Application filed September 27, 1926. Serial No. 13?,886.

The object of my invention is to provide a vending machine adapted for installation in public places, whereby patrons may secure therefrom a single cigarette, and in the manner of other vending machines by inserting a coin therein before operating same.

Another obj ect is to produce a vending machine of such design that it may be adapted to other merchandise as well as to cigarettes,

or may be employed in vending cigars, and

that is simple in construction, easily and officiently operated and can be manufactured at a low cost.

These several objects are attained in the preferred form by the construction and arrangement of parts more fully hereinafter set forth. 7

Similar parts on all drawings are marked by similar numerals.

Fig. 1 represents the front side of my device, showing the operating levers, and means for connecting with the geared operating mechanism. v Fig. 2 is a side view of the device showing the relative position of the operating members.

Fig. 3 is a back view of the device showing the knife operating gears, and the locking mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the machine showing the supply roll of cigarettes.

Fig. 5, is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of the Fig. 1, showing the corrugated feed rolls and cutting knife.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 66 of Fig. 2, showing the operating mechanism and the relative position of the operating parts.

Fig. 7 is an assembled view of the device when installed in an inclosing cabinet, and

illustrating the method of application.

Fig. 8 isa view of the roll sheet having cigarettes secured thereto; and,

Fig. 9 is a similar view of the roll sheet having a match inserted with each cigarette.

I will now describe more fully the detailed construction of my device, referring to the drawings and the marks thereon.

My device comprises a rectangular shaped metal frame of suitable proportions and design for supporting the'operating mechanism, and is inclosed in a suitable cabinet designed for that purpose. A coin slot is provided in one side of the device which releases the locking mechanism, when a coin is dropped therein. In'the top of the frame is a supply roller for containing a small roll of cigarettes, the cigarettes being attached to a strip of paper at uniform intervals, and rolled thereon in a manner that the end will engage with double corrugated feed rolls which will rotate with the operating mechanism of the device, the same to be cut from the strip by. an operating knife, cutting off one cigarette at each oper ating of the machine, and deposting same in an open recess in the frontof the machine. The machine is so designed that it is locked at all times, except when a coin is resting'in the coin slot, which allows one complete op eration before depositing the coin in a box below, and again locking the machine.

The frame -1 is preferably made of thin sheet metal side plates 2 and 3, connected by the separator tubes 1 and firmly bolted together by the bolts 5- passing therethrough, and forming a stiff, rigid frame. Near the top of the frame 1 is mounted a support roller -6, rotatably mounted within the frame 1 by the shaft 7- which passes therethrough and engages bearings in the side plates 2 and 8-. Directly beneath the-support roller 6 are mounted two corrugated feed rolls 8- and 9, also rotatably mounted in the frame 1- by the shafts 10 and 11 which pass through the axis of the rollers and engage bearings: in the side plates 2- and 3. The said feed rollers 8 and 9 are placed close together and positioned parallel to the axis of the supply roller 6, and are formed with a series of corrugated grooves 12- thereon which roll together, and are of a size to receive a cigarette therein. The two rollers are connected by means of gears 13 and 14 fixedly attached to the ends of the shafts -10 and 11, meshing together and causing both corrugated rolls to operate together, for passing a cigarette therethrough, The grooves 12 in each roll being positioned to meetand coincide with the grooves of the opposite roll. The cigarettes are mounted on a narrow strip of paper 60, spaced equidistant thereon and corresponding to the spacing of the corrugated grooves 12- of the feed rollers, and rolled on the supply roll 6-, but having the end of the roll engaged between the feed rollers *8 and -9-. Directly beneath the feed rollers S and 9 is mounted a knife 15, made of av thin metal blade, and fixedly attached to the slide bars 16 and 17. The slides -16 and 11 are slidably mounted in the cross bars 18 and 19 fixedly attached to the frame 1-, and sliding in a manner as to allow the knife 15 to move back sufficiently to allow a single cigarette to pass. A parti tion wall 20 is fixedly mounted in the frame 1, positioned opposite the knife 15-, and is provided with a knife slot --21 for engaging the knife blade therein, and for cutting a single cigarette from the roll as the corrugated feed rollers turn. A spring bar -2Q- is attached to the edge of the knife blade 15 and is supported in the cross bar -19-, but free to slide therein. A coil compression spring 3 is mounted on the said spring bar 22, and in such a manner as to force the knife 15 into the slot -21 when the same is released. An operating handle 2 lis piv otally mounted on the outside of the frame 1, and is supported by the shaft -25 which passes through the side plates 2 and 3. Fixedly mounted on the shaft 25 is an operating arm 26, which carries a ratchet arm 27- pivoted to the outer end thereof. Said ratchet arm 27 engages a drive ratchet gear 28 fixedly attached to the end of the feed roller shaft 10-, and in such a manner that to rock the operating handle 2f on its supporting shaft 25 it will cause rotation of both of the feed rollers -8- and 9, sufiiciently to pass only one groove l2 by the center of the roller, for each operation of the arm, thus deliver only one cigarette for each operation of the handle -24, the ratchet gear 28- operating always in the same direction. On the opposite end of the shaft l0, outside of the casing 1, is fixedly attached a segment gear 29, so designed with alternate teeth sections 30 and clearance spaces 3l. Directly beneath the shaft -10 is mounted the knife operating shaft 32, positioned parallel. to the shaft 10 and rotably mounted in the sides 2 and 3- of the frame 1. On the outer end of the shaft 32 is fixedly attached a pinion gear 83, positioned to engage the teeth sections 30 of the segment gear 29, and to mesh therewith, but free to turn back within the alternate clearance spaces 3l, as the gear 29- rotates. Fixedly attached to the same shaft -32 are two small rack gears '-34:" and 35, both of which mesh with the rack sections 86 and 37 of the knife slides 16 and 17, and so arranged that as the shaft 10 is rotated through operation of the handle 24, the segment gear 29 will engage the teeth sections 80 with the pinion gear 33-, causing a partial r0ta tion thereof, forcing the knife 15- back on the supporting slides, allowing a single cigarette to pass. then the pinion gear -33" release as it reaches one of the clearance spaces -3l in the segment gear 29. The coil spring Q3 behind the knife 15-- causes it to return and cut the cigarette from the roll, the cigarette dropping in the slide 38 leading to the opening at the front of the frame. The cigarette is then obtainable by the operator. At the lower part of the operating arm 26 is formed an extended lever arm -3S3 which moves directly with the operating handle The lever 89 is provided with an engaging pin -40 projecting from the lower end thereof. Near the bot-tom of the frame 1 is mounted a. rocker shaft l-1-, rotatably mounted in the sides 2" and 3 and carries a slotted arm l-2 fixedly attached thereto, and so positioned that the slot 43- therein will engage the pin -40 of the arm 39, and cause the shaft t1- to rock as the operating handle -Q4 is turned. A guide bar 4 lis fixedly attached to the outside of the side plate 2, and is provided with a notch recess -45, for engaging the pin 40, and limiting the movement of the operating handle -24- and connected mechanism, allowing movement for one cigarette only. The coil spring l-5 is attached to the arm 4-, causing the return of the operating handle when released. On the front edge of the frame 1- is mounted a coin slide l6-, arranged to receive a coin 50 therein, at the top end thereof, and drop to the lower end thereof. lVithin the lower end of the slide 4t6 is projected the end of the trip lever -4:7-, the same being pivotally mounted on the side plate 3 by the rivet -48. The lever 4;7 being raised in the coin slide opening 61- by means of a coil spring 49 attached to the opposite end of the lever. The spring 4i9 being of sufficient strength to raise the lever 47 in the coin slide opening, when no coin is in the slide. The weight of the coin 50-- being sufficient to force the end of the lever 47 down to the bottom of the slide, the opposite end of the lever -4:7 engages the end of the locking bar 51- which is pivoted to the side plate 3 by the rivet 2-. The lock bar 51*- being provided with a ratchet toot-h 53, engaging a small ratchet gear 5 lwhich is fixedly attached to the end of the shaft -41, for locking thev entire mechanism of the de-, vice when no coin 50 rests on the lever .47 in the coin'slide, but will unlock as soon as a coin 50 is inserted in the slide. Pivotally attached to the side plate -3 of the frame 1, and in front of the slot 55- at the lower end of the coin slide l6, is mounted a stop arm 56, designed to prevent the coin -50 from passing out of the slide after forcing the lever 47 down. The stop arm -56- is held in place by the link 57 attached to the lock arm -58 on the shaft -41, and is held in that position until the operating arm 24 is turned, thus causing a rotation of shaft 41 and releasing the coin 50 from the coin slide -46, the coin --50 passing out of the slot 55 in the lower edge thereof and into a receiving drawer 59- below, allowing the lock bar 50 to again lock the machine until another coin is inserted therein, also providing for the vending of only one cigarette at a single operation with each coin inserted.

When placing the cigarettes in the roll sheet, a cigarette and a match may be inserted in the same place, and both be vended by the same operation. It is the inventors intention in constructing this roll 60-, to

use a plain strip of paper 62 and atttach the cigarettes 63 thereon at uniform in tervals as shown in Fig. 8, or form the sheet roll by folded pockets 63 in the sheet of paper 64l, and insert the cigarette and match 65- therein, as illustrated in Fig. 9. However, the whole object is to provide a roll of cigarettes, uniformly spaced thereon, for engaging the corrugated feed rollers and the knife.

While I have described my invention, as applied to vending cigarettes, it is apparent that the device is equally well adapted to use in vending other forms of merchandise as well, and can be applied to cigars as well as to cigarettes, or to any form of merchandisc that can be placed in a roll.

Having fully described my vending machine, what I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A vending machine adapted to vend single cigarettes from a supply roll mounted on a roller, comprising a rigid supporting frame having a supply roller rotatably mounted therein, two corrugated feed rollers rotatably mounted within said frame so positioned therein as to engage the end of the cigarette supply roll between the double rollers and capable of drawing the cigarettes therethrough, a sliding cutting knife mounted below the said feed rollers so arranged and operated as to cut single cigarettes from the supply roll, all actuated by a connecting operating arm and geared mechanism.

2. A vending machine adapted to vending separate articles from a roll supply, where the articles are attached together in a continuous roll, comprising a rigid frame having a sup- 3. A vending machine adapted for vending single cigarettes from a supply roll where the cigarettes are attached together by connecting ribbon sheet, comprising a rigid frame having a supply roller rotatably mounted therein and capable of receiving the cigarette roll thereon, double corrugated feed rollers rotatably mounted within said frame for engaging the cigarette sheet from the supply roller and for drawing same therethrough, a sliding knife mounted in said frame beneath the double feed rollers for cut ting the single cigarettes therefrom, an operating handle mounted within said frame and having geared connections with the said knife and rollers for actuating same.

4. A vending machine adapted for vending single cigarettes from a continuous supply roll, comprising a rigid frame having a supply roller rotatably mounted therein, double corrugated feed rollers rotatably mounted within said frame directly beneath said supply roller, geared means for connecting the said double feed rollers together for operating same in unison and to engage the said feed rollers with the supply roll, drawing the cigarettes therethrough, an operating handle mounted within said frame and supplied with ratchet means for actuating said double feed rollers, a cutting knife mounted beneath the said double feed rollers also actuated by geared connections through the said operating handle, the said knife operating in a manner as to sever single cigarettes from the supply roll as it is drawn through the said feed rollers, and allowing the cigarette to drop in an open receptacle.

5. A vending machine adapted for vending cigarettes from a continuous supply roll,

comprising a rigid frame having a .npply J roller rotatably mounted therein and capable of receiving the cigarette supply roll thereon, double corrugated feed rollers rotatably mounted within said frame directly beneath the supply roller, and for engaging the end 1 of the ci arettesupply roll and feeding same therethrough, geared means for connecting the two feed rollers together and operating samein unison, a sliding knife mounted within said frame beneath the double feed rollers for cutting cigarettes from the supply roll as it is passed through the said feed rollers, actuated by geared connection with one. of said feed rollers, an operating handle mounted within said frame, provided with ratchet means for actuating both the said double feed rollers and knife, and in a manner as to cut cigarettes from the supply roll with each operation of the handle and dropping said cigarettes in an open receptacle.

6. A cigarette vending machine adapted for vending a single cigarette at a time from a continuous supply roll, comprising a rigid frame having a supply roller mounted therein, said supply roller being of a design for receiving a roll of cigarettes thereon, two corrugated side rollers placed side by side rotably mounted within said frame, directly beneath the supply roller, capable of rotating in unison and engaging a cigarette from a supply roll, between each side of corrugation as rotation is made, gears mounted on the end of each corrugated end in such a manner as to mesh with each other for causing the double corrugated rolls to operate in unison and to cover the corrugation in line with each other, suitable for engaging single cigarettes therein, an intermittent gear mounted on the opposite end of one of the rolls, raid intermittent gear being designed with alternate sections of teeth and blank spaces, and capable of rotating with the corrugated side rollers, a cutting knife slidably mounted directly beneath the corrugated side rollers, said sliding knife is provided with a rack and pinion for operating same and also is provided with a coil spring for closing the knife on the cigarette roll, and cutting the cigarettes therefrom when released, the said ,rack pinion is fixedly mounted on a shaft directly beneath one of the corrugated rolls and is provided with a pinion gear positioned thereon to engage with the teeth of the intermittent gears mounted on one of the corrugated side rollers, and in such a manner that the sections of teeth will engage with the pinion to cause rotation thereof, during the passing of that section of teeth and draw the cutting knife back as the corrugated side rolls advance in the cigarette from the roller and followed by a release of the pinion on reaching the blank space in the intermittent gear, allowing the coil springto close the knife blade and sever the cigarette from the roll, dropping same into a receiving container, an operated arm pivotally mounted within the casing and connected to the corrugated side rollers by ratchet means and in such a manner as will cause rotation of the corrugated side rollers with each movement of the handle.

In witness whereof I sign this specification.

CHARLES H. ECKMANN. 

